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WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman José E. Serrano made the following statement in response to initial announcements by the President-elect regarding his staffing and policy goals:

“As Congress returns to Washington, I am deeply troubled by the President-elect’s announcements yesterday on some of his key White House staff and policy priorities. I condemn the appointment of Steve Bannon, a right-wing demagogue with a dangerous history of anti-Semitic statements and associations with the white nationalist movement, as the President-elect’s ‘Chief Strategist and Senior Counselor.’ That this man will even enter the White House with any say on policy is disturbing, and indicates that the new President will be listening to a voice of hate as he makes decisions affecting women, Latinos, African-Americans, Muslim-Americans, the LGBTQ community, Jewish-Americans, and many others.

“On top of this, the President-elect announced last night that he would attempt to immediately deport 2-3 million immigrants upon entering office. In his view, that is the number of immigrants currently residing in the United States who are ‘criminal and have criminal records.’ That statement is an insult to millions of immigrants who have worked hard to improve this country and create an opportunity for themselves and their children. The vast majority of immigrants are law-abiding individuals who have come to this nation seeking a piece of the American Dream. Many of them pay things like Social Security taxes, even though they will never be able to participate in the program under current law. As a statement of policy, the President-elect’s statement last night is deeply troubling and offensive for immigrant communities. And it is another indication that the President-elect intends to stand by his destructive statements made on the campaign trail.

“That is why Democrats in Congress will be doing everything in our power to call out these problems and come January, to try and prevent the President-elect from implementing plans that will harm the tens of millions of people that we represent. On Election Night, the President-elect indicated that he will seek to unify this nation in the aftermath of a divisive election. Unfortunately, his early actions underlie the likely truth- that he intends no such thing.”

###Congressman José E. Serrano has represented The Bronx in Congress since 1990.